Day: December 24, 2009

Baekgwang / Sangseung Ilro / Jockey Title Race
If the story of the first half of the Korean racing year was Sangseung Ilro, the filly who claimed the first two legs of the Triple Crown, the story of the second half was Baekgwang. With the help of stem-cell therapy, the six-year old grey overcame two years of injuries to make an unlikely return to the top-tier of racing and gave Nice Choice a run for his money in the President’s Cup.

It is fitting then that both Sangseung Ilro and Baekgwang should run on the day that brings the 2009 season to a close. Sangseung Ilro will be the main draw of a short four race card at Busan on Sunday while Baekgwang will tackle one of the co-feature races at Seoul on the same day.

Also at Seoul, the Leading Jockey Title is on the line. With last year’s Champion Moon Se Young missing three months of the season due to injury, the race opened up. Cho Kyoung Ho looked to have victory secured until he was hit with a suspension last week which allowed veteran Park Tae Jong to swoop in and take the lead. Park leads Cho by one wins with Choi Beom Hyun a further victory behind. All three have nearly full books of rides and it could go any way.